2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season Fast Facts

Facts: The 2014 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The areas covered include the North Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

The National Weather Service defines a hurricane as \"an intense tropical weather system with well-defined circulation and sustained winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher.\"

Hurricanes are rated according to intensity on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.

The 1-5 scale estimates potential property damage.

A Category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane.

The National Hurricane Center advises preparedness:

A hurricane watch indicates the possibility that a region could experience hurricane conditions within 48 hours.

A hurricane warning indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 36 hours.

Predictions: April 10, 2014 - Forecasters William Gray and Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University release their 2014 hurricane season predictions: nine named storms and three hurricanes, one of them major.

May 22, 2014 - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts a near-normal or below-normal hurricane season, predicting that there is a 70 percent chance of having eight to 13 named storms, of which three to six could develop into hurricanes, including one to two major hurricanes (categories 3-5).

2014 Atlantic Storm Names: Hurricane Arthur July 1, 2014 - Tropical Storm Arthur forms off the east coast of Florida. July 3, 2014 - Strengthens into a hurricane. Later, strengthens to a category 2 storm and makes landfall at 11:15 p.m. between Cape Lookout and Beaufort, North Carolina. July 5, 2014 - Arthur weakens to a post-tropical cyclone over Canada.

Hurricane Bertha July 31, 2014 - Forms in the Atlantic Ocean. August 4, 2014 - Strengthens into a hurricane. August 6, 2014 - Dissipates south of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Hurricane Cristobal August 24, 2014 - Tropical Storm Cristobal forms near the southeastern Bahamas. August 25, 2014 - Strengthens into a hurricane. August 29, 2014 - Cristobal weakens to a post-tropical cyclone over the north Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricane Edouard September 11, 2014 - Tropical Storm Edouard forms in the central Atlantic Ocean. September 14, 2014 - Develops into a category 1 hurricane. September 15, 2014 - Strengthens into a category 2. September 16, 2014 - Briefly strengthens into a category 3 hurricane before weakening to a category 2 then category 1 hurricane. September 19, 2014 - Edouard weakens to a post-tropical cyclone without ever making landfall.

Hurricane Fay October 11, 2014 - Tropical Storm Fay forms south of Bermuda. October 12, 2014 - Passes over Bermuda as a tropical storm. Fay develops into a category 1 hurricane and later weakens back into a tropical storm. October 13, 2014 - Fay dissipates over the north central Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricane Gonzalo October 12, 2014 - Tropical Storm Gonzalo forms east of the Leeward Islands. October 13, 2014 - Strengthens into a category 1 hurricane while passing through the northern Leeward Islands. October 14, 2014 - Overnight develops into a category 2 hurricane and later strengthens into a category 3 hurricane. October 15, 2014 - Gonzalo strengthens to a category 4 hurricane.